# Wildfire Risk Area: Building Code Definition > How the IFC 2009 define wildfire risk area, where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term. - Canonical: https://harth.build/resources/glossary/wildfire-risk-area/ - Last updated: 2026-09-07 - Data source: Definitions quoted from the 2009 International Codes as transcribed in this site's building-codes collection, with the source chapter linked for each quotation. Usage counts are computed over the chapters hosted here, one copy per code. The [ICC code library](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) publishes the current model text and the [ICC adoption maps](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) show which edition a jurisdiction has adopted; those sources control. ## Key facts | Fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Defined in | IFC 2009 (2009 editions transcribed in this corpus) | | Primary source | IFC 2009 Definitions (model text, not a jurisdiction's adopted text) | | Chapters using the term | 3 (counted across the codes hosted here) | | Wording identical across codes | Single code (compare before citing one code's wording under another) | ## Direct answer Wildfire risk area is a defined term in the International Fire Code (IFC) 2009, in Definitions. The code's own words are: “Land that is covered with grass, grain, brush or forest, whether privately or publicly owned, which is so situated or is of such inaccessible location that a fire originating upon it would present an abnormally difficultjob of suppression or would result in great or unusual damage through fire or such areas designated by the fire …” No other I-Code in this corpus defines it, so the IFC 2009 definition is the one to work from. The term is used in 3 chapters of this corpus, most often in General Requirements (IFC 2009), Scope and Administration (IFC 2009), Definitions (IFC 2009). These pages transcribe the 2009 model text; verify the definition against the edition and amendments your authority having jurisdiction has adopted. *Content and cited inputs reviewed by [Scott Barrington](https://nz.linkedin.com/in/barrington), Harth founder and architectural technology specialist · Published 2026-09-07 · Updated 2026-09-07.* ## What does this term mean? **Wildfire Risk Area** — IFC 2009, Definitions: > Land that is covered with grass, grain, brush or forest, whether privately or publicly owned, which is so situated or is of such inaccessible location that a fire originating upon it would present an abnormally difficultjob of suppression or would result in great or unusual damage through fire or such areas designated by the fire code official. ![Labeled code-term definition diagram: Wildfire Risk Area: Building Code Definition](https://efwwel0vyt9vy5so.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/images/glossary/wildfire-risk-area/diagram-1344.webp) *How the IFC 2009 define wildfire risk area, where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term.* ## What must be verified before using this guidance? **Wildfire Risk Area** is defined once in this corpus, in the [Definitions](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/rhode-island/ifc-2009/definitions.md) chapter of the International Fire Code (IFC) 2009: > Land that is covered with grass, grain, brush or forest, whether privately or publicly owned, which is so situated or is of such inaccessible location that a fire originating upon it would present an abnormally difficultjob of suppression or would result in great or unusual damage through fire or such areas designated by the fire code official. ## Where wildfire risk area is used in the code The term appears in 3 chapters of the 2009 I-Codes hosted here. The chapters that lean on it hardest are the ones to read next. | Chapter | Code | Mentions | | --- | --- | --- | | [General Requirements](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/rhode-island/ifc-2009/general-requirements.md) | IFC 2009 | 4 | | [Scope and Administration](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/rhode-island/ifc-2009/scope-and-administration.md) | IFC 2009 | 4 | | [Definitions](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/rhode-island/ifc-2009/definitions.md) | IFC 2009 | 1 | ### The term in use How the code actually writes about wildfire risk area, quoted from the 2009 text hosted here: > or to use a torch or open-flame device in a wildfire risk area. — [IFC 2009 §105.6.31](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/rhode-island/ifc-2009/scope-and-administration.md) ## The terms wildfire risk area is built out of The definition above leans on 2 other defined terms. Each carries its own code definition, and a local amendment to any of them changes what wildfire risk area covers: - **[Fire Code Official](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/fire-code-official.md)** — IFC 2009: The fire chief or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of the code, or a duly authorized representative. - **[Code Official](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/code-official.md)** — IRC 2009: The officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of this code, or a duly authorized representative. ## Wildfire Risk Area: what to open, and in what order Every row is a document this term depends on. The [ICC code library](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) and the [ICC adoption maps](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) cover the middle rows. | Check | Where | Confirmed | | --- | --- | --- | | Read the definition in the adopted IFC | Definitions | | | Re-check the requirement that uses it | General Requirements (IFC 2009) | | | Re-check the requirement that uses it | Scope and Administration (IFC 2009) | | | Re-check the requirement that uses it | Definitions (IFC 2009) | | | Confirm the dependent definition | Fire Code Official | | | Confirm the dependent definition | Code Official | | | Local amendment to any of the above | Jurisdiction's amendment list | | **A research aid, not a code determination.** The authority having jurisdiction decides which edition and which amendments apply. ## Where can you explore related guidance? - [Explore all glossary guidance](https://harth.build/resources/glossary.md) - [Fire Code Official: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/fire-code-official.md) - [Code Official: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/code-official.md) ## Sources and method Definitions quoted from the 2009 International Codes as transcribed in this site's building-codes collection, with the source chapter linked for each quotation. Usage counts are computed over the chapters hosted here, one copy per code. The [ICC code library](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) publishes the current model text and the [ICC adoption maps](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) show which edition a jurisdiction has adopted; those sources control. ### Source links - [codes.iccsafe.org](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) - [iccsafe.org](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the code definition of wildfire risk area? The International Fire Code (IFC) 2009 defines it in Definitions as: “Land that is covered with grass, grain, brush or forest, whether privately or publicly owned, which is so situated or is of such inaccessible location that a fire originating upon it would present an abnormally difficultjob of suppression or would result in great or unusual damage through fire or such areas designated by the fire code official.” The 2009 model text is reproduced here; the definition that binds your project is the one in the edition your jurisdiction has adopted, as amended locally. ### Which parts of the code depend on wildfire risk area? In this corpus the term is used across 3 chapters, led by General Requirements in the IFC 2009. Those are the sections whose scope moves if the definition is amended locally, so read them together with Chapter 2 rather than on their own. --- - Continue in Harth (open this topic in the Harth agent): https://app.harth.build/agent?context=%2Fresources%2Fglossary%2Fwildfire-risk-area%2F - View this page in a browser: https://harth.build/resources/glossary/wildfire-risk-area/ - All resources for agents: https://harth.build/llms.txt